Later is now, again.

I spent a few days last week planning a new painting so that on Monday I could start using paint. I had it all worked out for a 24-inch-square canvas. On Monday morning, I was excited to get into the studio after running school carpool. I reviewed my sketches, stared at everything one more time, aaaaand decided the canvas size was wrong for the composition. It was important for me to start painting early in the week because spouse was soon going to leave for five days and then I’d be on 100% mothering duty. I called an audible and started looking for a new scene for my primed canvas.

Found It!Last month I spent a full week organizing all the documents and photographs on my laptop. The goal was to edit and organize all the art reference photos I’ve taken over many years. Did it. That may be the first time I’ve started and completed a task before I needed to do it. I found a new reference photo quickly. This explains how surprised and happy I was to go through my new, very granular, filing system.

Bright New DayI usually paint with the same two or three brushes, all of them filbert shaped in different small-medium sizes. Filbert is kind of a combination of flat and round brushes. I had recently organized my brushes, too, and I decided to bring in some other teammates for my audible play. With big areas of sky and sand to paint, I used a couple of large brights. These brushes are flat in shape but with shorter, stiffer bristles than a regular flat brush. They were great for creating the chiseled volume of the clouds, and their size allowed me to cover canvas quickly.

I liked painting this so much that I really had to tell myself to put down the brush and walk away. While I am at a good stopping point for the days ahead in job shift, it’s tough to hit the brakes when you’re gassed up and ready to go.

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Later is what?

After settling into various desk jobs, I always said I'd get back to painting later in life, and later is now. Again means that I tried once before. I decided to write about my painting endeavor, too, as a learning tool, an accountability tool, and to stay sharp in case I have to go back to a desk job. Again.

In front of a mural of a Tim Rietenbach painting in Columbus, Ohio

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